Dispensing closure with rupturable diaphragm seal

ABSTRACT

A rupturable diaphragm seal is disclosed for use in dispensing closures having a closure body including a dispensing opening leading there through and having a spout rotatably mounted on the body so as to be capable of being rotated from an initial closed position in which a passage in the spout is out of alignment with the dispensing opening to an open position in which the passage of the spout is aligned with the dispensing opening. In such a closure the rupturable diaphragm is secured to the closure body so as to extend across the opening. The spout used is formed so as to overlie the diaphragm in an initial closed position of the spout and is formed so as to engage and apply pressure to the diaphragm when the spout is rotated from this initial closed position to an open position so as to rupture the diaphragm.

United States Patent Hazard [451 Apr. 4, 1972 154] DISPENSING CLOSURE WITH RUPTURABLE DIAPHRAGM SEAL FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,185,244 2/1959 France ..222/536 Primary Examiner-Robert B. Reeves Assistant Examiner-David A. Scherbel Attorney-Edward D. OBrian [57] ABSTRACT A rupturable diaphragm seal is disclosed for use in dispensing closures having a closure body including a dispensing opening leading there through and having a spout rotatably mounted on the body so as to be capable of being rotated from an initial closed position in which a passage in the spout is out of alignment with the dispensing opening to an open position in which the passage of the spout is aligned with the dispensing opening. In such a closure the rupturable diaphragm is secured to the closure body so as to extend across the opening. The spout used is formed so as to overlie the diaphragm in an initial closed position of the spout and is formed so as to engage and apply pressure to the diaphragm when the spout is rotated from this initial closed position to an open position so as to rupture the diaphragm.

6 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures INVENTOR ROBERT E HAZARD EDWARD D. OED/AM A Woe/v5) DISPENSING CLOSURE WITH RUPTURABLE DIAPHRAGM SEAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The term dispensing closure is used in this specification to designate closures having a closure body including a dispensing opening leading between the sides of the body and having a spout rotatably mounted on the body so as to be capable of being rotated between open and closed positions. In such a closed position the spout in a dispensing closure as defined herein overlies the dispensing opening so as to seal it off while in such an open position the spout is located so that a passage in it is in communication with the dispensing opening. Closures of this general type are disclosed in the U.S. Wilson et a1. U.S. Pat. No. 2,793,795 and the U.S. Mart Pat. No. 2,828,895 and a number ofother patents.

These closures are normally constructed so that they can be utilized as bottle caps on conventional containers. They can also be constructed so as to be built into various specificalized containers. Normally they are formed out of a somewhat flexible, resilient material such as a commercial grade of a common polyolefin, especially polyethylene, by conventional injection molding techniques at nominal costs.

A problem which has been significant in the use of dispensing closures as defined is the problem of leakage between the body of such a closure and the spout of such a closure. This problem has been handled in the past by forming the closure body with a sealing structure or ring located around the dispensing opening so as to engage the spout when the spout is in open and closed positions. Certain of such seal structures are effective for use in sealing many different types of compositions.

On occasion it is desired to utilize a dispensing closure as defined in containing fluid which for one reason or another tends to escape around a sealing ring or structure as indicated between the body of a closure and the spout of the closure. Normally this is not particularly significant. However, it becomes important where the closures are utilized on containers for such fluids stored in positions which tend to promote leakage. It may also be significant where the closures are used a container for a comparatively volatile product, particularly such a container is to be stored for a prolonged period at a comparatively elevated temperature. When a dispensing closure is used under such conditions there is danger of loss of the product packaged and on occasion danger of damage due to escape of this product.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An objective of the present invention is to provide new and improved dispensing closures which overcome problems and disadvantages of prior related dispensing closures as indicated in the preceding discussion by having a rupturable diaphragm forming a true hermetic seal across the dispensing opening in such a closure. A related objective of this invention is to provide a structure of this type in which the diaphragm may be easily broken during the initial use of the closure in such a manner that the diaphragm will not contaminate the material packaged by the closure and will not clog up the dispensing opening in the closure body or the passage of the spout.

Further objectives of this invention are to provide initially sealed dispensing closures as described which can be manufactured at substantially the same cost as prior related dispensing closures, which are effective in preventing the loss of fluids packaged using these closures, and which may be easily and conveniently opened. Other objectives of this invention as well as many advantages of it will be apparent from a detailed consideration of the remainder of this specification.

These objectives are achieved in a dispensing closure having a closure body provided with a dispensing opening leading from one side of the body to the other side of the body, this opening being initially closed by a rupturable diaphragm. Such a closure is provided with a spout having a base overlying the closure. The portion of the base overlying the opening when the spout is in a closed position is shaped in a closure of this invention so as to be spaced from this diaphragm; the remainder of the base is shaped so as to engage and apply pressure to the diaphragm so as to rupture it when the spout is rotated from an initial closed position to an open position in which a passage in it is aligned with the dispensing opening.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The actual details of this invention are best explained with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a presently preferred embodiment or form of a dispensing closure in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the closure shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken at line 3-3 at FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken at line 44 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, detail view of a part of the closure body used in the closure shown in the preceding figure;

FIG. 6 is a partial isometric view showing a part of the spout used in the closure shown in FIGS. 1 to 4;

FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view corresponding to the central region of the cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 3 illustrating parts of the closure shown when the spout is in an open position.

From a careful consideration of the drawing and of the remainder of this specification it will be realized that the essential features of the present invention can be embodied within dispense closures which differ from the precise dispensing closure shown as to appearance and construction through the use or exercise of routine engineering skill.

DESCRIPTION OF THE'PREF ERRED EMBODIMENT The dispensing closure 10 illustrated in the drawing includes a closure body 12 and a spout 14. Preferably the closure body 12 is formed as an integral unit out of a somewhat flexible, somewhat resilient material such as a common polyolefin. This body 12 may conveniently be formed out of a common grade of polyethylene such as is normally used for injection molding various common articles. The spout 14 may be formed out of the same or similar material. If desired it may be formed out of a more rigid material such as polystyrene or the like.

As formed the closure body 12 includes a top 16 which carries a dependent, internally threaded skirt 18 for use in attaching a closure 10 to the container. If desired the skirt 18 may include other attaching means than threads or may be formed integrally with the container. The top 16 carries on its under surface a conventional sealing ring 20which is adapted to engage the neck of a container with which the closure 10 is used so as to form a seal therewith.

This top 16 also includes restricted entrances 22 in the form of slots which lead to aligned bearing openings 24 in the top 16. These bearing openings 24 may be formed in known manners. The entrances 22 and the bearing openings 24 are dimensioned so that aligned axles or trunnions 26 on the spout 14 may be snapped by temporary deformation of the top 16 into the bearing openings 24 so that the spout 14 is rotatably held in position on the closure body 12. When the spout 14 is so held it fits within a centrally located slot or cavity 28'so that the end 30 of it may be conveniently engaged so as to rotate the spout between open and closed positions.

In a closed position of the spout 14 a passage 32 in it extends generally parallel to the top 16 from a base 34 of the spout l4 shaped as a surface of revolution having an axis coincident with the axes of the trunnions 26. This base 34 includes a flat surface 36 which, in a closed position of the spout I4 as shown in FIGS. 1- -4, engages a sealing ring 38 located around a dispensing opening 40 leading through the top 16 into the cavity 28. Thus, this opening 40 serves to connect the sides of the top 16.

The sealing ring 38 shown preferably has an initial crosssectional configuration prior to use schematic approximating the shape of an upwardly extending V. When the body 12 is formed out of a material as indicated this sealing ring 38 will be of a resilient, flexible and deformable character capable of engaging the end 30 at all times so as to form a seal with the spout 14. If desired other known sealing rings 38 than the precise sealing ring illustrated may be utilized.

As the body 14 is initially formed the opening 40 is enclosed with an imperforate diaphragm 42 which is capable of being ruptured when the spout 14 is rotated so as to be turned from an initial closed position as indicated in' FIGS. 1 to 4 of the drawing to an open position as indicated in FIG. 7 of the draw ing. Such rupture occurs by the base 34 engaging the diaphragm 42 so as to apply pressure to it as the spout 14 is rotated from the closed position to the open position. In order to achieve this action the surface 36 and the diaphragm 42 are located closer or more adjacent to the axis of rotation of the spout 14 then the portions of the base 34 around the passage 32.

In order to achieve any effective rupturing action it is preferred to form in the diaphragm 42 with a plurality of scored lines or areas 44 which divide this diaphragm 42 into areas or regions 46 more or less of a pie shaped character. It is also preferred to form around the periphery of the diaphragm 44 a similar scored area 48 which separates the interior of the opening 40 from the remainder of the diaphragm 42. These scored areas 44 and 48 are sufficiently thin so that they may be more easily broken than the remainder of the diaphragm 42. Preferably the area 48 is slightly thicker than the area 44 so that the areas 44 will be broken more easily then the area 46. With this construction when the body 12 is formed of a material as indicated normally the area 48 will not break but will act as a hinge type connection between the unscored areas 46 of the diaphragm 42 and the top 16 of the closure body 12.

With this construction it is preferred that the base 34 be spherical as shown in FIG. 6 of the drawing. Such a spherical base 34 will tend to engage the diaphragm 42 when the spout 14 is rotated to an open position as indicated in FIG. 7 so as to engage the areas 46 of the diaphragm 42 between the scored areas 44 after the diaphragm 42 is broken so as to hold them separate and apart from one another. This of course clearly opens the diaphragm 42 when the spout 14 is in open position. This action is accomplished by engagement of the curved surface of the base 34 with the areas 46 of the diaphragm 42 between the scored areas 44. In order to achieve this action it is necessary that the center line of the passage 32 be coincident with or in alignment with the axis of the opening 40 when the spout 14 is in the open position.

When the closure 10 is assembled using a closure body 12 formed as indicated in the initial four figures of the drawing the spout 14 is located in place by being positioned parallel to a closed position above the body 12 with the trunnions 26 at the entrances 22 to the bearing openings 24. As pressure is applied to the spout 14 in this position these trunnions 26 will be snapped into place within these openings 24 so that the surface 36 is spaced from the diaphragm 42. Thus, during assembly of the closure 10 there is no significant chance of the diaphragm 42 being broken. However, during such assembly the sealing ring 38 will engage the surface 36 so as to form a seal therewith.

Prior to use of the closure 10 this seal between the ring 38 and the surface 36 is not important. However, it becomes important after the spout 14 is moved to an open position for the first time. As soon as the diaphragm 42 is ruptured this sealing ring 38 will form an important seal with the spout 14 so as to seal against leakage when the spout 14 is in both open and closed positions.

I claim:

1. In a dispensing closure having a closure body, said body including a dispensing opening leading from one side to the other side of said body, and having a spout rotatably mounted on said body, said spout including a base overlying said opening and a passage extending from said base through said spout, said spout being capable of being rotated from an initial closed position in which said passage is unaligned with said opening to an open position in which said passage is aligned with said opening, the improvement which comprises:

said closure body having a diaphragm extending across said opening in said body so as to close said opening; said diaphragm being capable of being ruptured by the application of pressure to it;

the base of said spout being shaped so that the surface of said base overlies, but does not apply pressure to, said diaphragm when said spout is in said initial closed positron;

said base of said spout being shaped so that said surface is closer to the axis of rotation of said spout than the portion of said spout around said passage in said base so that as said spout is rotated from an initial closed position to said open position said base will engage said diaphragm so as to apply pressure in order to rupture said diaphragm.

said body and said diaphragm being integral with one another and are formed of a material which is flexible and resilient, but which is capable of being broken when present in a thin cross-section, and

flexible, resilient sealing ring means located on said closure body around said opening, said sealing ring means engaging the base of said spout so as to form a seal therewith in said open and closed positions.

2. A dispensing closure as claimed in claim 1 wherein:

said diaphragm is flat and includes scored lines extending across said opening, said scored lines defining areas of said diaphragm which are weaker than other areas of said diaphragm so that said diaphragm will rupture along said scored lines,

the portion of the base of said spout shaped so as to overlie said diaphragm from when said spout is in said initial said closed position is flat,

the remainder of the base of said spout shaped so as to engage and apply pressure to said diaphragm is spherical so as to engage the periphery of said diaphragm in order to push the segments of said diaphragm separated by said scored lines away from the center of said opening when said diaphragm is ruptured and said spout is in said open position.

3. A dispensing closure as claimed in claim 2 including:

a scored area extending around the periphery of said diaphragm adjacent to said opening, said scored area being thicker than said scored lines so as to be capable of acting as hinges when said diaphragm is broken along said scored lines.

4. In a dispensing closure having a closure body, said body including a dispensing opening leading from one side to the other side of said body, and having a spout rotatably mounted on said body, said spout including a base overlying said opening and a passage extending from said base through said spout, said spout being capable of being rotated from an initial closed position in which said passage is unaligned with said opening to an open position in which said passage is aligned with said opening, the improvement which comprises:

said closure body having a flat diaphragm extending across said opening in said body so as to close said opening,

the base of said spout having a flat portion shaped so as to overlie said diaphragm when said spoutis in said initial closed position,

said base of said spout other than said flat portion being the shape of a surface of revolutions,

said base of said spout being shaped so as to engage and apply pressure to said diaphragm so as to rupture said diaphragm when said spout is rotated from said initial closed position to said open position.

5. A dispensing closure as claimed in claim 4 wherein: said surface of revolution is a sphere.

6. In a dispensing closure having a closure body, said body including a dispensing opening leading from one side to the other side ofsaid body, and having a spout rotatably mounted on said body, said spout including a base overlying said opening and a passage extending from said base through said spout, said spout being capable of being rotated from an initial closed position in which said passage is unaligned with said opening to an open position in which said passage is aligned with said opening, the improvement which comprises:

said closure body having a diaphragm extending across said opening in said body so as to close said opening, said diaphragm including scored lines extending across said opening, said scored lines defining areas of said diaphragm which are weaker than other areas of said diaphragm so that said diaphragm will rupture along said scored lines, the base of said spout being shaped so as to overlie said diaphragm when said spout is in said initial closed position,

said base of said spout having a portion shaped so as to engage and apply pressure to said diaphragm so as to rupture said diaphragm when said spout is rotated from said initial closed position to said open position,

said base of said spout other than the portion of said base of said spout shaped to closely overlie said diaphragm when said spout is in said initial closed position being shaped so as to engage the periphery of said diaphragm in order to push the segments of said diaphragm separated by said scored lines away from the center of said opening when said diaphragm is ruptured and said spout is in said open position. 

1. In a dispensing closure having a closure body, said body including a dispensing opening leading from one side to the other side of said body, and having a spout rotatably mounted on said body, said spout including a base overlying said opening and a passage extending from said base through said spout, said spout being capable of being rotated from an initial closed position in which said passage is unaligned with said opening to an open position in which said passage is aligned with said opening, the improvement which comprises: said closure body having a diaphragm extending across said opening in said body so as to close said opening; said diaphragm being capable of being ruptured by the application of pressure to it; the base of said spout being shaped so that the surface of said base overlies, but does not apply pressure to, said diaphragm when said spout is in said initial closed position; said base of said spout being shaped so that said surface is closer to the axis of rotation of said spout than the portion of said spout around said passage in said base so that as said spout is rotated from an initial closed position to said open position said base will engage said diaphragm so as to apply pressure in order to rupture said diaphragm. said body and said diaphragm being integral with one another and are formed of a material which is flexible and resilient, but which is capable of being broken when present in a thin crosssection, and flexible, resilient sealing ring means located on said closure body around said opening, said sealing ring means engaging the base of said spout so as to form a seal therewith in said open and closed positions.
 2. A dispensing closure as claimed in claim 1 wherein: said diaphragm is flat and includes scored lines extending across said opening, said scored lines defining areas of said diaphragm which are weaker than other areas of said diaphragm so that said diaphragm will rupture along said scored lines, the portion of the base of said spout shaped so as to overlie said diaphragm from when said spout is in said initial said closed position is flat, the remainder of the base of said spout shaped so as to engage and apply pressure to said diaphragm is spherical so as to engage the periphery of said diaphragm in order to push the segments of said diaphragm separated by said scored lines away from the center of said opening when said diaphragm is ruptured and said spout is in said open position.
 3. A dispensing closure as claimed in claim 2 including: a scored area extending around the periphery of said diaphragm adjacent to said opEning, said scored area being thicker than said scored lines so as to be capable of acting as hinges when said diaphragm is broken along said scored lines.
 4. In a dispensing closure having a closure body, said body including a dispensing opening leading from one side to the other side of said body, and having a spout rotatably mounted on said body, said spout including a base overlying said opening and a passage extending from said base through said spout, said spout being capable of being rotated from an initial closed position in which said passage is unaligned with said opening to an open position in which said passage is aligned with said opening, the improvement which comprises: said closure body having a flat diaphragm extending across said opening in said body so as to close said opening, the base of said spout having a flat portion shaped so as to overlie said diaphragm when said spout is in said initial closed position, said base of said spout other than said flat portion being the shape of a surface of revolutions, said base of said spout being shaped so as to engage and apply pressure to said diaphragm so as to rupture said diaphragm when said spout is rotated from said initial closed position to said open position.
 5. A dispensing closure as claimed in claim 4 wherein: said surface of revolution is a sphere.
 6. In a dispensing closure having a closure body, said body including a dispensing opening leading from one side to the other side of said body, and having a spout rotatably mounted on said body, said spout including a base overlying said opening and a passage extending from said base through said spout, said spout being capable of being rotated from an initial closed position in which said passage is unaligned with said opening to an open position in which said passage is aligned with said opening, the improvement which comprises: said closure body having a diaphragm extending across said opening in said body so as to close said opening, said diaphragm including scored lines extending across said opening, said scored lines defining areas of said diaphragm which are weaker than other areas of said diaphragm so that said diaphragm will rupture along said scored lines, the base of said spout being shaped so as to overlie said diaphragm when said spout is in said initial closed position, said base of said spout having a portion shaped so as to engage and apply pressure to said diaphragm so as to rupture said diaphragm when said spout is rotated from said initial closed position to said open position, said base of said spout other than the portion of said base of said spout shaped to closely overlie said diaphragm when said spout is in said initial closed position being shaped so as to engage the periphery of said diaphragm in order to push the segments of said diaphragm separated by said scored lines away from the center of said opening when said diaphragm is ruptured and said spout is in said open position. 